Liquid dispensing device



Nov. 7, 1933. c. D. FAGAN El AL 1,934,050

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 20. 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 0 0/2 125/?! Elma 1 123 Nov. 7, 1933. c. D. FAGAN El AL LIQUID DISPENSINGDEVIGE Filed June 20, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1933. c. D. FAGAN ET AL 1,934,050

LIQUID DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed June 20. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I e l 17 172051 2/ By I 223111 0% EYS Patented Nov. 7, 1933 1,934,650 mourn msransnve nEvIcn Charles D. Fagan and Theodore C. Ehrlich, Sharon, and Rehl W. Swank, Sharpsville, Pa,

assignors to Sharpsvllle Boiler Works 00., Sharpsville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyl- Application June 20, 1930. Serial No. 462,478

11 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to liquid dispensing mechanism and more especially to dispensing mechanism for gasoline or the like.

The present invention is concerned more especially with the dispensing of gasoline from subterranean tanks where the gasoline is lifted by a pump and wherein the pump is automatically controlled by pressure in the dispensing line or hose. Since the pump is electrically operated and is 10. controlled by automatic switches, the switch box is hermetically sealed and is protected against any possibility of gasoline fumes entering the box so that danger of fire or explosion is eliminated. The construction includes a throttle in the pipe line back of the dispensing hose, which throttle is constructed to be automatically closed when the hose nozzle is hung up, in viewof the fact that i the end of the throttle lever comprises a receptacle for the nozzle end of the hose. A further safety factor is provided in that when the hose nozzle is in place on the end of the throttle handle, the automatic control switch is locked out of operation. This obviates any possibility of the pump being started in case the nozzle valve should accidentally open or in case of a leak or. a break in the hose pipe. In devices of the prior art, the

pump will start to operate if the pressure in the' dispensing hose is lowered in any manner either bya break or .an open valve and this sets up a.

cally disclosed and therefore the present disclosure is to be understood as illustrative and not in the limiting sense.

Fig. 1 shows an elevational view of one embodiment of the invention, with the construction illustrated more or less diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the control unit.

Fig. 3 illustrates the connection between the throttle valve and the control unit.

Referring now to the drawings andmore especially to Fig. 1, the tank 1 is the usual subterranean tank adapted for holding gasoline or the like and this tank is provided with the usual filling and venting apertures and connections, as is common in the art. A conduit 2 leads from the tank .1 to a suction pump 4 which preferably is driven by an electric motor 5. The outlet from the suction pump comprises a pipe line 8 including a check valve '7 and an air chamber 8. This outlet conduit 6 leads to meter 9 and the outlet 10 from the meter leads to a dispensing hose 11 through a throttle valve 12. The dispensing hose is provided with a dispensing nomle valve 14. The outlet conduit 6 in the portion beyondthe air chamber 8 has a connection 15 leading to a control box 16. This control box contains control mechanism for the electric motorwhich operates the suction p pa More specifically, the control box contains an electric switch of a commercial type illustrated more or less diagrammatically in Fig. 2 and comprises two pairs of contact members 17 and 18. But one pair of contact members is illustrated. Both sides of the electric circuit are broken by the operation of the switch. The movablecontact members 17 may be connected to the electric motor 5 by suitable circuit 19, and the stationary contact members 18 may be connected to the source of electricity through an electric circuit 20. In the circuit '20 leading to the motor an automatic control switch is introduced as will be more fully explained later. The main switch movable contacts 17 are connected through a toggle mechanism comprising links 21 and Y22 which are operated by a snap arm 24 controlled by a lever arm 25 carrying a roller pawl 26 that snaps over the angular end 27 on the snap arm 24. This roller pawl is held in engagement with the angular end 27 of the snap arm 24 by means of a spring 28. The lower end of the lever arm 25 is pivoted at 29 and is connected at 30 with a control rod 31. The control rod 31 is normally forced downwardly by a spring-32 provided with an adjustment nut 34 and acting on a collar. 35 mounted on the control rod 31. The control rod passes through a gasket gland 36 to hermetically seal the compartment 37 enclosing the switch contact members. The lower end of the control rod 31 rests on a pressure operated member which may comprise a diaphragm 38 that forms the upper wall of a chamber 39 that is in direct connection with the outlet conduit 6 from the pump through the connection 15 so that pressure on the outlet end of the pump is communicated directly to the diaphragm 38 by means of gasoline or other fluid pressure filling the chamber 39. The control rod 31 passes through an opening in a partition 40 and through a chamber 41. The lower portionof this chamber 41 may be filled with a liquid 42 which preferably is lighter than gasoline or other liquid being dispensed by the apparatus in order to float thereon and to form a seal to prevent explosive fumes from rising in on either side of a bifurcated end 49 on the.

switch arm 47. This switch arm normally contacts with a stationary contact member 50 so that the circuit 20'to the electric motor runs through the switch arm 47 and the stationary contact 50 when the float 44 is in low position. If for any reason gasoline should leak through the diaphragm 38 into the chamber 41, the float 44 will rise and thereby break the circuit 20 so that the motor cannot be started to operate the pump if there is a leakage through the diaphragm of the control apparatus.

The control rod 31 is provided with a slotted opening 51 through which a locking bar 52 extends. This locking bar is provided with a wedge shaped portion 54 and is mounted for slidable movement in suitable gasket bearings55 and 56. The locking bar 52 is connected by a bell crank 57 and a link 58 with the throttle lever 59 of the throttle valve '12, so that when the throttle valve is closed, the locking bar 52 is moved to dotted line position in Fig.2 with the wedge 54 closing the slotted opening 51 and thereby preventing operation of the control rod 31. The throttle lever 59 is provided at its outer end with a housing 60 adapted to receive and enclose the dispensing end of the nozzle valve 14 so that the weight of the nozzle valve 14 and dispensing hose 11 pulls down on the throttle lever 59 and closes a throttle valve 12 and at ihesame time locks the control rod 31.

When the dispensing nozzle 14 is lifted from thethrottle lever 59, this lever is manually pushed upward, thereby opening the throttle valve 12, to

.permit gasoline to flow through the entire outlet pipe line when the nozzle valve is opened by the operator.

The mechanism is preferably enclosed in a pedestal casing 61.

In the operation of the device, the operator removes the nozzle 14 from the housing 60 of the throttle nozzle 59 and pushes the throttle handle 59 upwardly. This opens the throttle valve 12 and also moves the locking bar 52 to the position shown in the full lines in Fig. 2. The pressure in the air chamber 8 which is now held by the check valve 7 on one end of the line and by-the nozzle valve 14 on the other end of the line places the entire line from the check valve 7 to the nozzle valve 14,under pressure,'and holds the diaphragm 38 up, thereby holding the switch 17 out of contact with the switch 18. As soon as the operator opens the nozzle valve 14 to dispense the gasoline, the pressure immediately reduces in this outlet line and permits the diaphragm to drop to the' As soon as the nozzle valve 14 is closed, the pump continues to operate for a short time and builds up pressure in the air chamber 8 until this pressure is of such amount as to raise the diaphragm 38 and lift the control rod 31, thereby swinging the lever arm 25 clockwise and through its connections snaps'the control switch open, thereby opening the contacts 17 and 18 and breaking the circuit to the motor 5. This stops the motor but a due to the check valve 7 and the closing of the nozzle valve 14, it leaves the outlet side of the line under pressure. The operator then hangs the nozzle valve 14 in the housing 60 on the end of the throttle valve 59 and this positively closes the throttle valve so that pressure is held between the throttle valve 12 and the check valve '7. Likewise, the nozzle valve 14 holds the liquid between the throttle valve 12 and the nozzle valve 14.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the present disclosure concerns amechanism whereby liquid is brought from a storage tank through an automatically controlled pump and through a dispensing hose when the nozzle on the dispensing hose is opened to relieve the pressure in the outlet from the pump. The apparatus is automatic in its operation and is provided with safety devices comprising. the hermetic sealing of all open electrical contacts-for switches, etc., controlling the motor, and is provided with automatic safety mechanisms which prevent the starting of the motor if a leak or break should occur in the dispensing line. Furthermore, the dispensing line is closed when the dispensing nozzle is properly hung up out of use and this line is not reopened until a manually actuated throttle valve is operated. Additional safety devices are provided to prevent operation of the device through leakage in the control pressure operated member. Since the mechanism is automatic in its operation and depends upon reduction of pressure on the outlet side of the pump, the safety de-. vices and mechanisms are essential to prevent waste of the dispensed liquid, and danger of fire andexplosions.

While a diaphragm is disclosed as the preferred pressure operated member, it is to be understood thatany other pressure member may be used, for'example, a sylphon, Bourdon tube, a 1

piston or other device for translating variations in pressure into mechanical movement. Furthermore, the safety devices for preventing accidental operation of thedevice may take other forms and arrangements than the specific devices disclosed. no The disclosure therefore is to be understood as but one embodiment of the invention covered by the claims.

liquid from said storage tank, a dispensing conduit leading from said pump, a dispensing valve on the end of said conduit, motor means to' drive 'said pump, automatic means to cause said motor means to operate when said valve is opened, and safety means to prevent the operation of said automatic means.

2. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the

combination of a storage tank, a dispensing conduit, the outer portion of said conduit comprising a flexible hose, means to suspend the outer end of said hose, a valve on the outer end of said conduit, a pump for driving liquid from said tank through said conduit, an electric motor to operatesaid pump, a switch controlling said electric motor, pressure operated means operatively connected with the outlet conduit to close said switch for-said motor when the pressure in said outlet conduit diminishes to a predetermined point, and safety means to prevent automatic starting of said motor when the outer end of said hose is suspended.

3, In an apparatus to dispense liquid, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, automatic pressure controlled means to control the operation of said pump, aconduit leading from said storage tank to said pump, an outlet conduit from said pump, a portion of said outlet conduit comprising a flexible hose, a nozzle on the end of said hose, a valve to control said outlet conduit, and means to receive said nozzle when not in use and to prevent the operation of said automatic pressure controlled means.

4. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, a conduit operatively connecting said pump with said tank, an outlet conduit leading, .from said pump, 'a

throttle valve in said outlet conduit, an electric motor foroperating said pump, a switch in the circuit leading to said electric motor, pressure operated means connected with said outlet conduit between said pump and said throttle valve and adapted to close said switch when the pres- Y sure in said outlet conduit is reduced to a predeterminedpoint and to open said switch when the pressure in said outlet conduit exceeds a predetermined amount, a lever for operating said throttle valve, and means operated by said lever to prevent the operation of said pressure means when said throttle valve is closed.

5. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, a conduit operatively connecting said pump with said tank, an outlet conduit leading from said pump, a control valve in said outlet conduit, an electric motor for operating said pump, a switch in the circuit leading to said electric motor, pressure operated means connected with said outlet conduit between said pump and said throttle valve and adapted to close said switch when the pressure in said outlet conduit is reduced to a predetermined point and to open said switch when the pressure in said outlet conduit exceeds a predetermined amount, and means to prevent the operation of said pressure operated means to start said motor when said valve is closed.

6. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, an electric motor for operating said pump, a conduit leading from said tank to said pump, an outlet con-.

duit leading from said pump, a switch in the electric circuit leading to said motor, pressure operated means operatively connected with said outlet conduit to open said switch when the pressure in the outlet conduit exceeds a predetermined amount and to close said switch when the pressure in the outlet conduit is diminished a predetermined amount, a second switch in the circuit leading to said pump, and means for opening said second switch when liquid from said outlet conduit leaks into said control means.

7. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, an inlet conduit leading from said storage tank to said pump, an outlet conduit leading from said pump, a manually operated control valve in said outlet conduit, an electric motor for operating said pump, a switch in the electric circuit leading to said motor, a hermetically sealed chamber enclosing said switch, a diaphragm forming one wall of a chamber operatively connected with said outlet conduit, spring means operating on said diaphragm to resist pressure transmitted to said diaphragm from said outlet conduit, means operatively connecting said spring means with said switch whereby said switch is opened when said diaphragm is flexed in one direction by pressure from said outlet conduit and said switch is closed when said diaphragm is flexed in the opposite direction by said spring, .a second electric switch in said circuit leading to said motor, and means for operating said second switch to open the circuit to the electric motor when liquid from said outlet conduit passes said diaphragm.

8. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a storage tank, a pump, an inlet conduit leading from said storage tank to said pump, an outlet conduit leading from said pump;

.a manually operated control'valve in said outlet diaphragm to resist pressure transmitted to said diaphragm from said outlet conduit, and means operatively connecting said spring means with said switch whereby said switch is opened when said diaphragm is flexed in one direction by pressure from said outlet conduit and said switch is closed when said diaphragm is flexed in the oppo'site direction by said spring.

9. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the combination of a storage tank, a dispensing conduit, a valve on the outer end of said conduit, a flexible dispensing hose comprising a portion of said conduit, a support for the outer end of said hose when not in use, a pump for driving liquid from said tank through said conduit, an electric motor to operate said p p, a switch controlling the operation of sai I operated means operatively connected with said conduit to close said switch for said motor when the pressure in said conduit diminishes to a predetermined point, and safety means to prevent the eiIective operation of said pressure controlled means when said hose is suspended from said support.

motor, pressure 10. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the a combination of a storage tank, a pump operatively connected to said tank, power means to operate said pump, an outlet conduit from said pump, a valve in said outlet conduit, automatic means tending to render said power means operative when the pressure in said outlet conduit is reduced a predetermined amount, and manually operated safety means for operating said valve and controlling said automatic means whereby said automatic means is held inoperative until said manual means is operated to open said valve.

11. In an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the combination of a storage tank, a pump operatively connected to said tank, power means to 

